Courses - Online & in London

The 1950s was the beginning of the end for the Hollywood studio era, a golden age in place since the 1920s. The fifties are more difficult to pin down than the 1930/40s due to explosive diversity in both subject matter and cinematic technology, the profound influence of WWII, the development of European neorealism and the first signs of the French New Wave. An emphasis on teen culture emerged, represented by the brief career of James Dean. Film stars became anti-heroes. The moguls who founded Hollywood began to disappear. The studio business model was doomed. Hollywood reacted both defensively and creatively, going for broke—and producing some of the finest and most enduring films in its history, films that transformed the culture, from Sunset Blvd. (1950) to Some Like It Hot (1959)—both by Billy Wilder. From The Asphalt Jungle (1950) to The Misfits (1961)— Marilyn Monroe’s first and final films, both directed by John Huston. From Here To Eternity (1953 Fred Zinnemann) to A Place in the Sun (1951 George Stevens, part of his American trilogy). Fifties’ films reflected a darkening America. (See related courses on Fifties Musicals, Melodrama and Film Noir).

Fats Waller copyrighted over 400 songs, wrote many more, and this new course will guide you through several and prepare you to perform his memorable work. For singers with enthusiasm for and experience in the jazz idiom and newcomers to jazz are also welcome to join. no class on 15th October.

The short story in Europe has characteristics all of its own. While British, Irish and American stories are rooted in psychological realism, many European writers have tended towards a more philosophical approach, reflecting the concerns of the modern age as experienced by the sensibilities of individual writers. Authors such as Thomas Mann, Franz Kafka and Albert Camus are masters of the kinds of tale which ask profound question about the nature of our existence. They are also supreme stylists capable of sustaining a gripping narrative.

Surrealism is one of the great developments of 20th century literature. It’s different from the fantasies of previous centuries (fairy and folk tales, imaginative stories set in remote parts of the world, satires, science fiction) because it expresses complex bizarre experiences that many people recognise as possibly part of themselves. It may reflect desires which are difficult to admit but are sometimes expressed with wit and humour. We explore how surrealism developed from the apparent nonsense of three 19th century English writers.

Join us to explore the history of opera over three enjoyable terms. In this first term we’ll explore the ideas that fuelled origins of opera and the wonderful world of Baroque opera seria. NB Break week: 31 Oct 2024.

Improve your knowledge of Latin grammar and your ability to read and write Latin, as well as exploring Roman culture and history. Suitable if you have completed Latin 1 or have an equivalent knowledge.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Continue to learn the basic grammatical structures for reading and translating Biblical Hebrew. Also suitable for those who have a rusty knowledge of the language.

Learn the basics of Sanskrit. By the end of this module you will be able to read and write in the Devanagari script; understand and apply commonly used noun declensions; identify frequently used verb conjugations; and construct simple sentences in the present tense.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Continue to learn New Testament Greek and to read passages from John’s Gospel.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Whether you are you are new to Yoga or have done Yoga before, this course is for you to unwind and relax after work. Learn postures and breathing exercises, improve your body and breath awareness, strength and flexibility, and practise relaxation techniques to help you release tension.

Suitable if you have completed Ancient Greek 1: module 1 or have an equivalent knowledge. Continue to learn the basic grammatical structures and vocabulary so that you can read straightforward Ancient Greek prose. Suitable also if you have some basic or rusty knowledge of the language.

This is a course in the reading and writing of Homeric Greek - the language of the Iliad and Odyssey.